Newcastle ready to sell Demba Ba

Demba Ba is set to leave Newcastle – within the first week of the January transfer window.

The Magpies have so far been unable to agree a new deal with the striker, and want to move him on early if they cannot convince him to stay so they can focus on bringing in a replacement.

They do not want a repeat of the Andy Carroll situation, which saw the England target-man sold to Liverpool on the final day of the January 2011 transfer window – too late for Newcastle to bring in anyone else.

Marseille hitman Loic Remy has re-emerged among the Magpies’ main candidates to come in this time around.

The Geordies have made contact with Remy and Marseille about a possible move next month and are hopeful that a £10million deal can be struck.

Arsenal, also interested in Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and Liverpool are the latest clubs linked with Ba, who will once again be available for a knockdown £7million because of a clause in his contract.

Ba, who has scored 10 times in 17 appearances this season, earns a basic wage of £35,000-a-week at St James’ Park, topped up with £25,000 appearance money.

Although Ba has not agitated for a move, he has already turned down an offer of a new £70,000-a-week deal from Newcastle, who desperate to negotiate out of the clause in his contract.